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Updated: Nov 14, 2025
06:43
Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
Published on: November 21, 2017
24.7K
Exploring the rationale for thermotherapy in COVID-19
Javier Mancilla-Galindo1, Norma Galindo-Sevilla2
1Facultad de Medicina, División de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.
Summary
Mild heat therapy may combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. This approach leverages the virus
Area of Science:
- Virology and Infectious Diseases
- Therapeutic Interventions
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibits increased transmissibility at lower ambient temperatures, correlating with optimal viral replication at temperatures below core body heat.
- SARS-CoV-2 is inherently heat-susceptible, similar to many plant-infecting viruses (+ssRNA viruses).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the heat susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2.
- To explore potential host mechanisms enhanced by higher temperatures for viral clearance.
- To investigate thermotherapy as a potential COVID-19 treatment, considering risks and benefits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on SARS-CoV-2 characteristics and thermotherapy applications.
- Analysis of viral replication at different temperatures.
- Evaluation of potential host responses to mild hyperthermia.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 replication is suboptimal at core body temperatures.
- Thermotherapy is effective against similar viruses in plant pathology.
- Mild hyperthermia cycles (1-2 hours every 8-12 hours) are proposed for COVID-19 treatment.
Conclusions:
- Thermotherapy presents a potential treatment strategy for COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2's heat sensitivity.
- Further investigation is needed to understand host mechanisms and optimize thermotherapy protocols.
- Safety concerns suggest initial application in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases to prevent progression.
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